reuse copper head gasket?

[Flo]

Hi,

I have a GS 1150 / 1327 which I put together two months ago and need to take apart again. It never was run after assembling it, just was bolted together.

Is it OK to reuse the copper head gasket on it? Has O-ringed block.
Is there anything horrible which could happen?

I am not trying to be cheap, but this stuff always takes a while to arrive from APE to Europe...
Greets
Flo

 

[rapidray]

If the gasket has never been run it will be ok. If it HAS been run, you would need to re-anneal it before use as the heat cycles harden the copper & you would need to soften it again. Elmer Trett once told me he had re-used a gasket at LEAST a dozen times before when money was tight. Ray.

 

[headsbikesmopars]

Ray I knew Elmer Trett. His nephew was married to my sister. He was from Corbin ky. My sister was married to Michael Trett , whose dad Albert was the older brother of Elmer. Elmer lived in Ga. the last few years of his life. A man truely ahead of his time. Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but wanted to add this info about Elmer...a good man he was and very sharp.

Terry

 

[rapidray]

I only met him once but I had talked to him at least 50-60 times before I did. He used to answer questions I had when setting up dragbikes in Hawaii. He was a VERY intelligent man! He welcomed me into his pit like I was family & was telling everyone I was his friend from Hawaii! It felt good to be hanging around a bigshot & getting welcomed like that! Just the man he was! Ray.

 

[posplayr]

Ray, Terry,
never even hear for Elmer Trett, so looked him up. Thought you guys might enjoy this.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/The-late-Elmer-Trett-vs_205232.htm


for everyone else.

http://home.ama-cycle.org/forms/museum/biopage1.asp?id=281

Jim

 

[Steve]

I saw him set a record at Indy and had him autograph a t-shirt.

I think it was the next weekend that he did his exhibition run and died.

.

 

[Flo]

thanks for the answers. Motor never has been run.
After recent experiences on the dyno I will widen the ring gap to values Ray recommended before running it... this is why I am tearing it down...

Flo

 

[headsbikesmopars]

Flo, good luck on your project. Please keep us informed as to your progress.

Terry

 

[trippivot]

my head gasket has been on and off countless times

anneal the copper that is the secret to re-use for years. I like the spray copper sealant as well but there are many other choices to keep the oil seepage to a minimum.

 

[rkubik]

anneal the copper that is the secret ...

It's not hard to do. Heat the copper up hot with a plumber's soldering torch, then let it cool naturally, in the air. It's done.

 

[49er]

It's not hard to do. Heat the copper up hot with a plumber's soldering torch, then let it cool naturally, in the air. It's done.

Heating it and then quenching it in water will make even softer.

 

[hampshirehog]

Standard fare in the old Brit world of head gaskets. I bet the one on my Beezer is original and I've had the top off a good few times.

 

[Guest]

Ray I knew Elmer Trett. His nephew was married to my sister. He was from Corbin ky. My sister was married to Michael Trett , whose dad Albert was the older brother of Elmer. Elmer lived in Ga. the last few years of his life. A man truely ahead of his time. Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but wanted to add this info about Elmer...a good man he was and very sharp.

Terry

We were traveling with the Tretts from Ga to Muncie, In for a race. We stopped in Corbin, Ky to visit some of Elmers relatives. I might have met you.

Jay